GOP Removes Press Release After DU Story is Picked Up by MSNBC

[Mortos]

The official website of the Republican National Convention has removed a press release touting "active military members" as delegates at the convention after a DU member (rob-ok-vin) discovered that this may be in violation of a DOD directive (1344.10), put out August 2, 2004 by Paul Wolfowitz.

The story was picked up by Eric Alterman of MSNBC and put on the MSNBC website. Shortly after that the press release was removed from the website. I wonder why the GOP would remove a press release about having military members support President Bush (other than the fact that it violates their brand new anti-freedom of speech directive).

The original DU post can be found here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x678991
(I wrote the original story based on my brother's independent research)

The Alterman piece can be found here:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3449870

The last remaining piece of evidence on the GOP website can be found here:

www.2004nycgop.org/features/infocus/veterans.shtml

Scroll down to the last person, Carey Baker, who may violate the brand spanking new DOD directive.

Can someone please find out if there is a mirror of this webpage anywhere and save it.

http://www.gopconvention.com/contents/newsroom/articles/081604.shtml

[merh]

1. Good work --

sorry can't help with the mirror issue. Thanks so much for your efforts and determination.

:yourock:

[NMDemDist2]

2. first Walt now you!

DU rocks!

[slojim240]

3. Wait a minute! Removing the Press Release doesn't make it legal.

Is anyone going investigate and file charges? This was designed, I am sure, to keep military from supporting Kerry at the Dem convention. Why else?

[librechik]

34. Exactly. The timing is suspicious; but the erasing of the PR release

sounds like covering up evidence. Again.

Just like they changed the page that listed Cordier (SBVT commercial) as a GOP committee head.

Shameless!

How can so-called "good people" excuse this criminal behavior?
IMO, they are not good at all, but just as evil as these characters they are promoting.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. It's in the Google cache

Veterans Set for Republican Convention

Associated Press
By Genaro C. Armas


WASHINGTON - Americans who served in the military will be well represented at the upcoming Republican convention, more so than at last month's Democratic convention or in the U.S. population overall, according to the GOP.

About 15 percent of the 4,800-plus delegates and alternates to the convention in New York are veterans, organizers said Monday. An additional 3 percent are active military personnel.

Census Bureau estimates show that roughly 12 percent of U.S. residents in 2002 were military veterans. About 11.5 percent of delegates at the Democratic convention in Boston were veterans, a record high, according to the Democratic National Committee.

With President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry ocked in a tight race, winning the votes of veterans in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington will be important.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

6. ...here's the HTML if anyone wants to save it

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<font size="3"><b>Veterans Set for Republican Convention</b></font>
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<i>Associated Press</i><br>
By Genaro C. Armas <p>
<p>WASHINGTON - Americans who served in the military will be well represented at the upcoming Republican convention, more so than at last month's Democratic convention or in the U.S. population overall, according to the GOP.
<p>About 15 percent of the 4,800-plus delegates and alternates to the convention in New York are veterans, organizers said Monday. An additional 3 percent are active military personnel.
<p>Census Bureau estimates show that roughly 12 percent of U.S. residents in 2002 were military veterans. About 11.5 percent of delegates at the Democratic convention in Boston were veterans, a record high, according to the Democratic National Committee.
<p>With President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry ocked in a tight race, winning the votes of veterans in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington will be important.


<p>
<a href="/contents/links/article_081604.html" target="_blank"><b>Click here for the full article.</b></a>


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[Mortos]

8. Thanks

You just did.

:)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Here's the page from their site

Somebody follow the link and capture and post the image of the page please.

http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=4557

Here's the text:

Monday, August 16, 2004
Nearly One In Five Delegates To The 2004 Republican National Convention Is A Veteran Or Active Military Personnel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leonardo Alcivar / Christine Iverson
212-356-2300 / 202-863-8614

NEW YORK - Nearly one in five delegates to the 2004 Republican National Convention is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or an active member of the military, the 2004 Republican National Convention announced today. Veterans will make up 15 percent of the Republican delegation and active military personnel will make up 3 percent of the delegates traveling to New York City this month to re-nominate George W. Bush. In comparison, when the Democrats gathered in Boston last month, veterans made up only 11.5 percent of the delegates.

"We're proud to announce that nearly one in five delegates to the Republican National Convention is a veteran or is currently serving this country in our nation's Armed Forces. From the veterans who have fought to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today to the men and women who are protecting us now as we fight the war on terror, they deserve our thanks and gratitude. We appreciate their sacrifice and are grateful for their service, both to their country and to our democratic process," said Ed Gillespie, Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"The Republican Party is honored to have the support of America's veterans and our active duty servicemen and women," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention and U.S. Army veteran. "On behalf of the 2004 Republican National Convention, it is truly an honor to welcome the more than 860 veterans and active military personnel participating in this month's four-day convention in New York City."

In an unprecedented show of support for the Republican Party and President Bush, 18 percent of the 2004 delegation identify themselves as veterans or active military personnel. Approximately 4,800 delegates and alternates in 55 delegations will travel to New York City this month. Over 15 percent are veterans, which means that approximately 720 men and women who have worn a United States uniform will represent their home states in New York City. Another 3 percent, or approximately 140 delegates, identify themselves as currently serving in the U.S. military.

In addition to the large percentage of veterans and military personnel in the 2004 delegation, this year's Republican National Convention will be the most diverse in Republican Party history. The 2004 delegation shows a 70 percent increase among minority delegates compared to the 2000 Republican convention. With President George W. Bush leading the ticket, African-American representation is up an estimated 65 percent and Asian-American representation is up nearly 40 percent. This month, Hispanic delegates will be the largest minority group represented, adding another 15 percent to the 100 percent surge the Republican Party saw between the 1996 and 2 000 delegations.

The Republican National Committee recently completed certification of the 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternate delegates who will make up the most diverse Republican delegation in the party's history. In 2004, minorities make up 17 percent of total delegates and women make up 44 percent. In 2000, minorities made up 10 percent of total delegates and women made up 36 percent. In 1996, minorities made up 6.3 percent of total delegates and women made up 33 percent.

The 2004 Republican National Convention will be held for the first time ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 - September 2, 2004. Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to visit the city for the occasion.

For more information about the 2004 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.gopconvention.com.

[htuttle]

9. PDF link here -- but don't spread the link around to the whole universe

I only have a DSL line:
http://www.piratevideo.tv/IMG/RNC-activemil.pdf
(file is 389K)

Download it and pass it around if needed instead. Spread the original link to the RNC site as long as it's valid (and unedited).

[rocktivity]

15. Ask Skinner to upload it to the DU server, htuttle

That's what he did when that Florida DU-er photographed that Smear-Boat Flyer in a GOP office.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Cha]

7. Thanks to your And your brother, Mortos!

Excellent work..good job!

[Rose Siding]

10. Why did Wolfowitz make that rule so recently?

Do you suppose it was to thwart any active duty that might defy the admin?

[TahitiNut]

22. When I was in the service, it was always forbidden to 'serve' ...

... in a partisan political capacity of any kind. That not only included any elected office, but also any campaign. There's a whole range of activities prohibited. This is just one. It'd be my impression any memorandum would merely be a reminder.

[Rose Siding]

24. Ah, thanks. n/t

[leetrisck]

33. That's always the way it was

for us - keep your mouth shut and stay away.

[rocktivity]

11. But has the GOP removed the active duty personnel?

:headbang:
rocknation

[librechik]

32. no, now they're claiming they are all reservists NOT active duty n/t

[drmom]

12. Wow! I'm impressed.

[lovuian]

13. I thought the President Of US was a elected civilain official

Not a Army President

[OKNancy]

14. Alterman writes:

Update on my Possible Actual News Alert: According to our man Bateman, whom we should have contacted in the first place, the Republican Party is not in violation of the U.S. military’s rules on the participation in party politics by active duty military, owing to the reserve status of the delegates. Still, if I were in the military, I don’t think I’d want anything to do with a party that’d do this.


From the link you supplied.

[Occulus]

16. more info

apparently, it's not a violation of the rules:

"Update on my Possible Actual News Alert: According to our man Bateman, whom we should have contacted in the first place, the Republican Party is not in violation of the U.S. military’s rules on the participation in party politics by active duty military, owing to the reserve status of the delegates."

[TahitiNut]

17. Over 140 uniformed GOP robots. Any wearing PHart band-aids?

Why won't I be surprised they're not court-martialed for disobedience?

[The Sushi Bandit]

18. Thank you Eric Alterman of MSNBC !

Thank you for being HERE!

[The Sushi Bandit]

19. Thank you Eric Alterman of MSNBC !

Thank you for being HERE!

[gristy]

20. According to Alterman now, not in violation

Update on my Possible Actual News Alert: According to our man Bateman, whom we should have contacted in the first place, the Republican Party is not in violation of the U.S. military?s rules on the participation in party politics by active duty military, owing to the reserve status of the delegates. Still, if I were in the military, I don?t think I?d want anything to do with a party that?d do this.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3449870

[leetrisck]

27. Do we have any Democrat delegates

in the same situation - that would really be hairy - speaking out "against the commander in thief" - just wondering.

[Mortos]

30. This policy did not go into effect

until after the Democratic convention (August 2, 2004).

[rocktivity]

21. Has there been a last-minute edit?

Alterman writes:
According to our man Bateman, whom we should have contacted in the first place, the Republican Party is not in violation of the U.S. military’s rules on the participation in party politics by active duty military, owing to the reserve status of the delegates.  Still, if I were in the military, I don’t think I’d want anything to do with a party that’d do this.

But the press release said:
About 15 percent of the 4,800-plus delegates and alternates to the convention in New York are veterans, organizers said Monday. An additional 3 percent are active military personnel.

And the DoD regulation says:
4.1.2. A member on active duty shall not:
4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (unless attending a convention as a spectator when not in uniform).

Was the press release in error, and if so, why not simply delete the sentence instead of the whole thing? Dumb question--it's because they're REPUBLICANS! Better tell Eric to speak with Bateman again.

:headbang:
rocknation

[gristy]

25. Oh, boy.

Nice catch.

[BeFree]

28. Looks like they got to Eric

Instead of researching the story a little further, or at the very least let it stand and let the Pukes prove otherwise, he backtracks. Not good.

[rob-ok-vin]

23. So this say we are not in violation

<snip>
"The Republican Party is honored to have the support of America's veterans and our active duty servicemen and women," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention and U.S. Army veteran. "On behalf of the 2004 Republican National Convention, it is truly an honor to welcome the more than 860 veterans and active military personnel participating in this month's four-day convention in New York City."

http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=4557

[rocktivity]

26. If the active personnel are merely guests that's OK

as long as it's not in uniform. But the pulled press release clearly states, that they're delgates and alternates. So if the press release is in error, how did it happen?

:headbang:
rocknation

[Mortos]

29. I just spoke to a friend of mine who is a member of the Air Guard

She said they have recieved a whole slew of orders and directives specifically telling them not to endorse any political candidate. She is a Guard member, not currently serving active duty (although she has been deployed 3 times in 3 years). She stated that many members of her unit are upset that they are being told they cannot take active part in any political event. They believe the rules are so strict as to not allow them to put candidate signs in their fronts yards of their civilian houses. No bumper stickers, no public endorsements no political support of any candidate for any reason at any time. This is what she and her fellow Airmen are being told by their commanders and they are additionally being given directives by the DOD stating the same thing. She further stated that directives given to active duty military are considered to be binding to the Guard and Reserves. The Reserves are especially tied to the active duty military because of the federal designation and responsiblity to the active duty services.

She will send my the pdf files of their new directives and I will post them as soon as I get them.

If orders are being sent to the Guard and Reserves to not take part in political campaigns, how the fuck is the Bush administration touting "active military members" as delegates to their fucking convention????????

[fleetus]

39. Bumper Stickers are okay.

Here are some examples of activities that ARE perfectly okay:

(taken from the DoD directive)

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html2/d134410...

A member on active duty may:

E3.2.1. Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

E3.2.2. Promote and encourage other military members to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute an attempt to influence or interfere with the outcome of an election.

E3.2.3. Join a political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform. See Directive 1334.1 (reference (f)).

E3.2.4. Serve as an election official, if such service is not as a representative of a partisan political party, does not interfere with military duties, is performed when not in uniform, and has the prior approval of the Secretary concerned or the Secretary's designee.

E3.2.5. Sign a petition for specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate's name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

E3.2.6. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member's personal views on public issues or political candidates, if such action is not part of an organized letter-writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political cause or candidate.

E3.2.7. Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party, or committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations under 2 U.S.C. 441a, 18 U.S.C. 607 (references (g) and (h)), and other applicable law.

E3.2.8. Display a political sticker on the member's private vehicle.

E3.2.9. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political meetings or rallies as a spectator when not in uniform.

Displaying yard signs on a civilian house are not specifically banned. I heard about an Executive Officer on my military base who was spreading misinformation at officer training that they couldn't go to political events (even if they weren't in uniform.) I got riled up and sent him a copy of the directive. I think some commands are trying to scare their memebers into not being active in politics even though some activities are clearly allowed. I was kind of amazed it was okay to write a letter to the editor. It changes things from a face in the crowd to a name in print.

Delegate at a convention, however, is a no-no. Spectator is fine.

[0rganism]

31. How the HELL do you "REMOVE A PRESS RELEASE"?????

After it's released, it's released, bwana. You can't just redact the thing, or scrub the memories of the press.

Oh. What am I thinking? This is the "liberal" media, who shape their consciousness to meet the demands of their corporate masters. Press releases disappear whenever Karl Rove says they do.

"That information never existed, nor will we confirm or deny any reports of when it ceased to exist."

[jca]

35. Google Cache

For those interested, this will eventually disappear from Google's cache:

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:rZE65SZyWYYJ:www.2004nycgop.org/contents/newsroom/articles/081604.shtml+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[Window]

36. Way to go!

DU is da bomb!

[DeepModem Mom]

37. kick

[Keirsey]

38. does this help?

SnagIt of GOP page uploaded:

http://tinypic.com/3y2i0